sorry this took so long, ive had the worst case of writers block!

XX

I'm ready after so long. It's been three months since I arrived at Yavin, but it seemed so much longer. I suppose after travelling so long, and staying in one place for two weeks at most, I'm more resistant to staying still. Tattooine drove me spare, my ship been broken. There are no decent ship parts there that normal people can pay for. Then the Jedi came and took me to Yavin, where I nearly went mad. I think I explored every track on that planet several times, as well as creating new ones. But it wasn't all bad, and it paid off. Now I'm finally going on my first mission.

There was a beeping from the cockpit and I spun around, shaken from my attempts at meditation.

"Approaching Nar Shaddaa, please select landing coordinates" I jumped to my feet and ran to the cockpit, sitting in the seat before Koran Melvan, my partner for this mission, was even aware I was moving. He shook his head as he entered; a look of disapproval on his face.

"You need to slow down. You might have been able to live at that pace while you were a traveller, but now you are a Jedi" He doesn't like travellers, I thought with a grin. He hasn't lived among them like I did. He didn't grow up as one.

"And what's wrong with a fast paced life? It's not just travellers who live on the edge. Smugglers, pirates, assassins, bounty hunters…"

"Are all scum who Jedi don't associate with. We are above their level, and don't need to lower ourself to complete our goal"

"You're going to hate my contact" He looked at me, and I grinned. "But you'll find out enough about Skip when we land. He's meeting us in landing bay 23" I guided the ship down towards the planet, dodging erratic air traffic. Glancing back at Koran, I saw he looked sick. Bit of a soft stomach I suppose. That or he's never landed on Nar Shaddaa before.

"Are you sure you're qualified to pilot a ship?" He looked positively green now. I laughed, and he stared at me. Now he looked really scared as I swerved a chase, causing our ship to jerk to the side. He leapt for the controls. "Let me pilot"

"You won't last five seconds at the helm!" I yelled as I pushed the ship into a dive, sending him pitching forwards into the control board. Then I brought it into a smooth landing in landing bay 23 while he rubbed his head muttering about reckless younglings who shouldn't be allowed at the controls of any vehicle. I just laughed as I opened the ramp and left the cockpit.

XX

I strode down the landing ramp towards the waiting human man.

"Skip! How've ya been pirate?" Koran's footsteps on the ramp behind me faltered.

"Great, and yourself, cowgirl?" He pulled me into a bear hug and ruffled my hair. I laughed.

"Not too bad. How's Deb?" He bit his lip, and I caught a hint of sadness in his eyes.

"She was killed three years ago" My face fell.

"I'm sorry, Skip. I didn't know"

"It's fine. How are your parents?" I bit my lip, and he smiled knowingly. "What happened, Hana?"

"Pirates"

"I'm sorry" Koran tapped my shoulder from behind, and I spun around stunned. I had forgotten he was there. He bent low and hissed in my ear.

"Introduce me" I made a face and snarled back.

"Introduce yourself" He stalked forwards and I could see his mental note. Resistant to orders from a more advanced Jedi. Skip grinned.

"I'm Koran Melvan, Hana's supervisor for this mission" He said coldly. I gave a guilty start, I had forgotten all about the mission. Skip pounded him on the back cheerfully.

"Nice to meet ya cowboy. Scuse me sayin so, but Hana don't need no supervisor. She's a capable girl, and has saved my life more than once" Koran's scowl deepened, but he just turned away soundlessly. "Where'd ya pick up the stickler?"

"He's a more advanced Jedi than me who lives in the Enclave on Yavin. For some reason, he was sent with me on my first mission"

"It makes sense. Backup, and assess how you went"

"I know, but why him?" Skip laughed as Koran turned to me with barely veiled contempt.

"Get on with it and ask what the problem is" I rolled my eyes as I turned back to Skip.

"What's the matter? We came, but didn't know why we were called here. I just was told to call my contact" His expression grew grim.

"There's a cult going around, taking young women who are virgins… and murdering them" I gasped.

"Kit?"

"She's safe, for now. I'll take you home; she knows more than I do" He turned and began walking off, his arm slung around my shoulder. Koran followed.

XX

pleaz R&R!